What is .NET Framework?

The .Net Framework is one of the wonderful creations of Microsoft Corporation. It has change the software development dramatically. It provides lot of features that provides high functionality. This article explains basic overview of .Net Framework, some features of .Net Framework. Summary of the article:

What .NET?

.Net Framework Version History

What is CLR?

What is RPC?

What is .NET or .NET Framework?
.NET is a framework. This is not OS or programming language. But it support different programming language. Such: C#, C++, J#, VB, VB.NET. It gives a common platform or class library for all language. If we write our code in any language after compilation .NET convert it into MSIL. It is an intermediate language. Then this MSIL is converted into machine language. Most of we use Visual Studio to write .NET code. But if we write it in note pad and run it, it will work.
It runs on Microsoft Windows OS. .NET provides tools and libraries that allow developers to develop applications and services much easily, faster and secure.

.Net Framework Version History
Currently different versions of .NET frameworks are available. Each Framework has new features & controls. Some core features of different Frameworks are given bellow:

What is CLR?
Common Language Runtime (CLR) is the major component of Microsoft .Net Framework. It is the virtual-machine component of .Net Framework. It is a runtime environment that manages the execution of .NET programs. All .NET Framework versions include CLR. It is also is known as the Virtual Execution System (VES).

After the compilation of any .Net Framework based programs/applications all the source codes are converted into an intermediate language. This is called Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL) or Common Intermediate Language (CIL). During runtime the CLR convert it into the machine language that can be understood by the CPU. This process is called just in time (JIT).

What is RPC?
The Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is a protocol that is used to call a program from one computer/system to another computer/system. This technology is sued for creating distributed client/server system/ programs. The client doesn’t need to know the network details. Microsoft .Net Framework introduces a feature named web service to perform this type of operations. CORBA and DCOM provide the same type of capabilities as traditional RPCs.

About Author

Rashed

I’m Rashedul Alam, software engineer/architect, technical blogger, and educator. I have over 10 years of working experience in the field of software design and development. I like to share my knowledge and technical stuff with others. I am a community contributor, providing problem solving answer through different forum.